In this episode of At Your Own Pace, Mike sits down with Ali Brettnacher for an honest, heartfelt conversation about what running looks like when you strip away pace, performance, and comparison — and focus instead on people, purpose, and connection.

Ali shares her journey from once hating running to fully embracing it as a source of community and meaning, shaped by family influence, life’s chaos, and a growing desire to show up for others. Together, Mike and Ali explore how running evolves from something that can feel like punishment into something deeply joyful when rooted in shared experiences, vulnerability, and support.

They talk openly about setbacks, injuries, and disappointment — and why being kind to yourself through those moments matters just as much as consistency and discipline. Ali also discusses the inspiration behind creating her Finish Lines and Milestones podcast, driven by a belief that every runner’s story is worth telling, not just the fastest or most visible ones.

A powerful part of the conversation centers on running for a cause, particularly Ali’s involvement with Ainsley’s Angels, and the transformative emotional impact of pushing athletes with disabilities. Mike and Ali reflect on how crossing a finish line alongside someone else can completely redefine what success means.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that running isn’t about pace or comparison — it’s about the connections you make, the stories you collect, and learning to honor your own journey. You belong in this space exactly as you are.

In the seventh episode of At Your Own Pace, host MikeRunsMarathons sits down with Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run, Try, Bike, to explore how representation, community, and sustainable training can reshape the endurance sports space for the better. Jason shares his journey into running in 2007 and how his experience as a Puerto Rican athlete in a predominantly white sport fueled his mission to create platforms that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and everyday athletes at every pace and background.

The conversation challenges the glorification of “grind culture” in endurance sports and unpacks why smarter training, recovery, and mental well-being matter more than perfection. Jason introduces his “Christmas tree” training philosophy — a balance of hard, moderate, and easy days — and reframes the stigma around DNF and DNS as strategic decisions that protect long-term growth. Together, Mike and Jason reflect on the mental hurdles new runners face, the pressure created by social media comparisons, and the power of storytelling and community support in helping athletes feel seen and supported.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that there is space at the starting line for everyone, that progress matters more than finish times, and that relentless forward motion is built through patience, self-trust, and connection.

In this episode of At Your Own Pace, host MikeRunsMarathons welcomes Herm, a passionate advocate for inclusivity and representation in the running community, to share a journey rooted in growth, healing, and finding belonging. Herm reflects on how running became more than just movement — evolving into a space for self-discovery, mental clarity, and personal transformation.

The conversation explores the importance of authentic storytelling, the responsibility that comes with having influence, and why representation truly matters in helping runners feel seen and supported. Herm opens up about overcoming mental barriers, the meditative nature of running, and the joy that comes from setting goals centered on fulfillment rather than competition. At its core, this episode highlights the power of community, the courage it takes to show up as yourself, and the reminder that every runner’s story deserves space — especially in a sport that grows stronger when everyone feels they belong.